Hughes confirms Test axe on Twitter page

Australia batsman Phillip Hughes announced Thursday he'd been dropped from the side to play England in the third Ashes Test here at Edgbaston on his own Twitter page.

Hughes was dropped after a run of low scores and struggles against short-pitched fast bowling during the first two Tests of the series.

The 20-year-old left-handed opener managed 36 in the drawn first Test in Cardiff and scores of four and 17 in England's 115-run victory at Lord's, which put the home side 1-0 up in the five-match series with three to play.

According to a report in the Australian newspaper, Hughes's place is set to be taken by Shane Watson, even though the all-rounder has never batted higher than No 6 in a Test match.

"Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today, will be supporting the guys, it's a BIG test match 4 us," Hughes was quoted as saying on his Twitter page.

"Thanks 4 all the support!"

Cricket Australia chiefs were understood to be angry that details of their team line-up had become public before the official announcement at the toss, although it was reported that Hughes's manager, Neil d'Costa, had made the Twitter posting.

The website of the Melbourne Age newspaper quoted CA spokesman Peter Young as saying Hughes had no prior knowledge of the post.

"The information on Twitter was clearly a mishap, I have spoken to the guy who put it up," Young said. "He was very apologetic and agreed to take it down. "Phil Hughes was not aware it had gone up on his behalf. We encourage players to engage with the public and use those channels, but within the process and not before selectors have officially published the team."

Hughes burst on to the international scene this year with hundreds in both innings of his second Test, against South Africa in Durban and had a prolific stint with county side Middlesex earlier in this English season when he scored 574 runs at 143.50.

He scored those runs in just five innings, including three centuries as he surpassed Australia great Don Bradman's start to a maiden first-class season in England - 566 runs in five innings in 1930.

Last weekend Watson, whose international career has been blighted by injuries, scored 84 and 50 in the tour match against Northamptonshire.

But in eight Tests he has scored just 257 runs at a low average of under 20.

Watson's last four Test innings have all ended in single figure scores.

However, there was still an outside chance Hughes could play at Edgbaston if the selectors had a late change of mind.

Rain delayed the scheduled 10:30am local time (0930GMT) toss and as captains are not obliged to name their sides until the toss, Australia still have the option of retaining Hughes.